The Prostat Autoanalysis Software only reads zero (0) volts when hooked up to the PFM-711A Field Meter and CPM-720A Charge Plate Monitor.

Connection:

To ensure the Autoanalysis Software can read and display the voltage read from the PFM-711A Field Meter and CPM-720A Charge Plate Monitor, make sure to connect all the equipment as shown below.

System Settings:

Once your system is connected correctly, connect the PGA-710B to your computer via USB and turn on your system. Then perform the following steps:

Connect the shunt to the analog input of the PGA-710B.

In the Autoanalysis Software, go to Edit and select Device Control.

The Device Control window will appear. Click on the Set Zero tab.

Click on Read in the Device Time section and then click on Set Device Time.

Ensure the date and time of the PGA-710B device matches the date and time of your computer.

If doesn’t match, repeat step 4.

If the date and times, then click on Done and close the window.

Press the green play button or F5 to run the datalogger.

The data logger should be running and voltage should be reading zero (0).

If voltage reads zero (0), remove the shunt from the device.

Connect the Analog Cable to the analog input of the PGA-710B.

Connect the other end of the cable to the PFM-711A analog output.

When applying a charge to your Charge Plate, the software should be reading the voltage off the system

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/autoanalysis-software-is-unable-to-read-the-voltage-from-the-pfm-711a-field-meter/feed/0Tips for Making Precesion Measurements with the Prostat PRS-801 Resistance Meterhttp://blog.prostatcorp.com/tips-for-making-precesion-measurements-with-the-prostat-prs-801-resistance-meter/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/tips-for-making-precesion-measurements-with-the-prostat-prs-801-resistance-meter/#commentsFri, 01 Dec 2017 18:05:40 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=623The Prostat PRS-801 is a portable, battery operated resistance meter, capable of measuring from less than 1 ohm to 2.0E+14. It could be challenging to make low resistance and high resistance measurements, and below are some tips to help accomplish these tasks.

Before plugging cables or low resistance reference into the terminals:

Slide the Battery Bus switch ON

Press the Red ON/OFF button to energize the unit

Press Green TEST button after the self-test is complete

Confirm the instrument goes to OL without leads connected

Press the Yellow RESET button

Repeat a. & b. above several times to warm the system

Allow the unit to sit energized for a least 3 minutes.NOTE: Ideally, the PRS-801 should have a minimum of 3 to 5 minutes of warm-up time before taking precision measurements and calibrating the low resistance range.

Press the Red ON/OFF button to de-energize the instrument

For Very Low Resistance i.e., less than 10 Ohms and other Measurements,

To repeat the calibration process, press RESET then CLEAR within one-half second to re-enter the low resistance CAL mode and repeat steps 4 & 5 above.

Press the Red ON/OFF button to de-energize the instrument

Insert test leadsNOTE: If the unit is ON and test lead insulation is charged when connected to the device, an electrostatic discharge (ESD) will be delivered to the instrument’s circuitry causing the instrument to turn OFF, or re-start. This response to the ESD event is the instrument’s response for its own protection.

Additional Tips For High Resistance measurements 1.0E11 Ohms and higher

Use short, shielded test leads supplied with the PRS-801

Be sure to insert the Black lead into the negative (-) terminal

The Green Shield should be inserted in the instrument’s ground reference

The Red test lead should be inserted into the positive (+) terminal

The operator must be grounded to an approved ESD personnel ground

Once the leads are connected to the fixture or object being measured, press the Red ON/OFF button to energize the system

Press the Green TEST button to initiate the measurementNOTE: The electrification period for measurements 1.0E12 Ohms and greater, the electrification period is automatically extended to 15 seconds, plus any additional time required to obtain a reasonable measurement

IMPORTANT for High resistance measurements: The grounded Operator should step back, away from the instrument and test fixture to prevent body capacitance and fields from clothing or the body from interfering with the measurement.

Once HOLD is displayed, the measurement is complete; press the Yellow RESET button to enter the data into memory or to simply prepare the instrument for the next measurement.

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/tips-for-making-precesion-measurements-with-the-prostat-prs-801-resistance-meter/feed/0Why am I getting different resistance measurements on a ESD tray?http://blog.prostatcorp.com/why-am-i-getting-different-resistance-measurements-on-a-esd-tray/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/why-am-i-getting-different-resistance-measurements-on-a-esd-tray/#commentsFri, 02 Jun 2017 19:41:04 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=613Someone asked a question regarding measuring a tray with 2 different resistance instruments and getting totally different readings. The tray being used for the measurements was an uneven tray.

Without knowing the details of the tray, its conductive loading, particulate versus fiber, injection molded versus vacuum formed, I can only give some insight into understanding how different fixtures work with conductive polymer loads. They are as different as Apples and Oranges. There are many reasons for the possible difference in displayed readings on these two different instruments:

Carbon or fiber loaded polymers are not always homogeneous and often provide irregular measurements

Metal contacts do not always make contact with the conductive particles or fibers at, or slightly below the surface of the material

Machined metal contact surfaces make contact with the tallest particles on the surface of a material under test (MUT)

Consequently, metal contact surfaces tend to indicate what the metal portion of a device will see when in contact with the MUT

Soft rubberized contact surfaces conform more readily to irregular MUT surfaces and will easily make contact with conductive particles at or near the surface

Soft contact surfaces indicate the optimal potential performance of a conductive material load, but do not necessarily represent what a device with metal contacts will see.

Also parallel bar instruments are intended to measure flat, regular material surfaces and are intended to measure the effect of many parallel paths across the material between the two bars. Using these instruments for Point to Point measurements are different than area measurements and will provide different measurement results. In this case they are simply indicators and not specification measurements.

For example, the ESD Check ESI-870 is probably just fine. You can check it by placing it on surfaces of various resistance characteristics e.g., on an insulated surface and a clean metal surface. The problem is when comparing two different measurement fixtures on an undefined surface – Soft Rubber vs Machined Metal contact fixtures – and expect to get the same answer. This is not always possible. This is the reason Prostat provides REMOVABLE conductive boots &rings with its micro probes – the PRF-922B, PRF-912B, etc.

We provide these boots and rings because of the great variability in conductive loaded polymers. They are necessary to define the characteristics of the material’s surface resistance:

Assuming a PRF-922B fixture, measure a conductive tray with the boots on and record the measurement(s). Do not use excessive pressure.

Then remove the boots and measure the same area, and record the measurement(s). Do not use excessive pressure.

If the two measurement sets are very similar, the conductive loading in the polymer is quite homogeneous. If both measurements are within desired range, the tray material process and forming is good, and acceptable.

If the two measurements are quite different – i.e., 2 to 3 decades or more apart – the conductive loading in the polymer is NOT homogeneous, or there are surface characteristics that inhibit the materials dissipative performance. The measurements WITHOUT the soft conductive boots is most likely what a device’s leads will see when in contact with the material’s surface.

The measurements WITH the soft conductive boots is how the material will perform when a soft conductive device makes contact with it. Most electronic devices are not soft, so the measurement without comparison to that without the conductive rubber is not very valuable. These measurements are typically used the indicate the material’s dissipative performance characteristics to the end user.

Again, check with the ESI-870 on different flat materials and you will see whether it is functioning correctly, or not. Simply hold it in the air and press the TEST button. It should indicate high or over level. Then place it on a clean metal surface and it should indicate its lowest measurement. If all is well, nothing is wrong with the instrument. It is not better or worse than any other indicating instrument: They are indicators, not specification measurements. You need to know how to use them and understand the differences in fixture contact surfaces.

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/why-am-i-getting-different-resistance-measurements-on-a-esd-tray/feed/0Error in Prostat Autoanalysis – Invalid extremum sequence! Minimum has to be followed by a Maximum!http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-invalid-extremum-sequence-minimum-has-to-be-followed-by-a-maximum/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-invalid-extremum-sequence-minimum-has-to-be-followed-by-a-maximum/#commentsWed, 24 May 2017 15:59:09 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=607Error Message:

Invalid extremum sequence! Minimum has to be followed by a Maximum!

Translation:

This error occur in the Prostat Autoanalysis software version 2.0 when attempting to attempting to Release the analyzed data in the Editing Control window:

Invalid extremum sequence! Minimum has to be followed by a Maximum!

Solution:

While in the Editing Control window, and once you have trimmed the data and confirmed the step cycles, you need to add a Min and a Max from the Adjust tab. If you are attempting to add 2 MIN’s or 2 MAX’s, the software will generate this error. You should only add 1 MIN and follow it by a MAX. You cannot add 2 of the same kind.

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-invalid-extremum-sequence-minimum-has-to-be-followed-by-a-maximum/feed/0Error in Prostat Autoanalysis – Application has generated an exception that could not be handledhttp://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-application-has-generate-an-exception-that-could-not-be-handled/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-application-has-generate-an-exception-that-could-not-be-handled/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 17:11:40 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=587Error Message:

Application has generated an exception that could not be handled…

Translation:

This error occur in the Prostat Autoanalysis software version 1.5 when attempting to launch the software in 64-bit version of the Windows Operating System:

Application has generated an exception that could not be handled…

Solution:

Unfortunately, version 1.5 of the Autoanalysis Software and the Prostat PGA-710 data logger and its drivers are not compatible with 64-bit version of Windows, including Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1 and Windows 10.

You will need to upgrade your entire system to the PGA-710B device and Autoanalysis Software version 2.0. To date, the latest version of the Autoanalysis System is fully compatible with all version of Windows, including Windows 10.

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-application-has-generate-an-exception-that-could-not-be-handled/feed/0The Difference between Constant Voltage (Under Load) and Open Circuit Resistance Metershttp://blog.prostatcorp.com/the-difference-between-constant-voltage-under-load-and-open-circuit-resistance-meters-2/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/the-difference-between-constant-voltage-under-load-and-open-circuit-resistance-meters-2/#commentsWed, 23 Nov 2016 16:57:03 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=574During a witness audit last week, a customer asked what the difference was between a resistance instrument Under Load and Open Circuit. The quickest answer to the question is that Constant Voltage (Under Load) instruments would be a Laboratory type instrument, while the Open Circuit is a general indicating instrument.

Constant Voltage units do not vary in test voltage within their designated performance range(s). For example the Prostat PRS-801 Resistance Meter will vary by a few millivolts at 100V from 2.0×105 to 2.0×1014 ohm range.

An Open Circuit instrument test voltage varies across its entire range. Why? The Constant Voltage instrument is designed to withstand higher current flow during lower resistance measurements, while the Open Circuit unit protects from high current at lower resistance levels by reducing its test voltage:

Here is a chart showing an Open Circuit instrument’s test voltage when measuring different resistances. At high resistance, test voltage is high. As resistance load is reduced, so is test voltage.

The Constant Voltage (Under Load) unit is more accurate and repeatable. It is a closer tolerance instrument often having a measurement variance of less than 2% from E5 to E10 ohms. On the other hand and Open Circuit instrument may have a tolerance of greater than ≥10% and often a much higher error, >50%.

Finally, materials react to test voltage and current flow, which generates heat. During a measurement the Constant Volatge unit is going to provide the same controlled voltage and subsequent current flow for a given resistance every time it makes a measurement. This makes the unit’s measurement highly repeatable. The Open Circuit unit will vary and provide different voltages at different resistance ranges, thus materials will respond differently to the instrument’s measurements at different resistance levels.

The Constant Voltage instrument is most accurate. That is why the PRS-801 is one of the industry’s most important measurement standards.

Translation:

This error occur in the Prostat Autoanalysis software when attempting to generate a report after the data has been analyzed and released for reporting:

Error in File [REPORT-NAME]: Invalid page margins.

Solution:

To stop this error message, adjust the margins in your printers properties. In Windows, locate your Printers devices, right-click on the printer you’re trying to use and select Properties. Find the settings for the margins and restore them to their original settings and save the changes.

]]>http://blog.prostatcorp.com/error-in-prostat-autoanalysis-software-invalid-page-margins/feed/0Not all 5lbs Conductive Rubber Electrode are created equal!http://blog.prostatcorp.com/not-all-5lbs-conductive-rubber-electrode-are-created-equal/
http://blog.prostatcorp.com/not-all-5lbs-conductive-rubber-electrode-are-created-equal/#commentsTue, 12 Jul 2016 19:57:02 +0000http://blog.prostatcorp.com/?p=540The Prostat PRV-813 Rubber Electrode Verifier has been designed because people in our industry keep asking, “Why do we get different resistance measurements with different electrodes?” After years of measurements, sometimes many thousands of measurements, electrodes are different from “new” and there is no realistic means to assess the current condition of used electrodes. We found that the PRV-813 is a positive step toward answering this important question.

The purpose of the PRV-813 fixture is to define the condition of the electrode(s) at any point in time, and particularly prior to testing materials for qualification against industry standards, or certifying new material installations. It is true that the pad composition is very important, and subject to contamination and wear. Using the PRV-813 we measured several different manufacturer’s electrodes when new. We found that virtually all of them are within 10% of our surface flatness criteria, and resistance to the PRV-813 test bed was under 100 ohms. Once electrodes are well used they are all different, regardless of manufacturer.

Prostat has been aware of variations in electrode measurements (and design) for quite some time. Our concern is: there is no standard method for evaluating electrodes used in material qualification. We can measure pad durometer, resistance [sic], size, weight and thickness but it is difficult to measure flatness and one needs a specialized test bed to accurately measure true electrode resistance.

For example, try this:

Measure the resistance of an electrode on a standard 3M or Prostat metal test bed, then measure it on the Prostat PRV-813 test bed. You will see a huge difference. In our tests we have seen as much as 200+ ohms difference in resistance characteristics of the same electrode on different metal test beds. Is this important? Until a realistic assessment of electrodes and performance against various reference materials is conducted, all is speculation and, I believe, rather subjective. But the fact is, a flat low resistance electrode is most desirable for qualifying materials.

The PRV-813 was developed to “dial in” Prostat’s electrodes and we have established a repeatable criteria for establishing electrode characteristics. Using this fixture one can differentiate electrodes having a flatness accuracy of ±1%, 5% or greater percent deviation from the PRV-813 flatness reference. Why is flatness important? As electrodes wear pressure per square inch increases significantly. The nickel plated, polished brass test bed provides the lowest possible resistance measurement of an electrode – any electrode. So, one can track the impact of contamination on a specific electrode, if that is a consideration. Note that contamination changes electrode conductivity and contact resistance. For us, we can quantify an electrode’s characteristics and performance against our own references prior to shipment.

Our intent is not to differentiate Prostat electrodes from its competition. Rather, we assume all electrodes are “good” when new. It is use and exposure to different materials that cause all electrodes to change because of wear and contamination issues.